Mike Cameron stood by his locker, surrounded by media, wearing a smile brighter than the gold studs in his ears. He’d just gone 4-for-4 – including a grand slam and a career-high eight RBI – to lead the Mariners to a 10-2 rout of the Yankees at the Stadium in a clash between baseball’s best teams.

It was a performance that surpassed even Ken Griffey Jr., for whom he was traded before last season. Moments after the game of his life, Cameron was peppered with questions about replacing his moody predecessor.

“You’re gonna turn back the clock on me, man? How about the ball I hit to center field?” he asked, with a ready smile.

“It’s no longer replacement,” Cameron said. “Junior’s going to be remembered forever, but my numbers are pretty good, and I’ve been a solid player. Unfortunately I had to leave Cincinnati because Grif wanted to go home. He’s maintained his own, and I’m holding my own.”

Coming into his own is more like it, with 20 home runs and 86 RBIs for the first-time All-Star. Those are more than double Griffey’s RBIs, and surpass Cameron’s own season totals from last year with 40 games left. That’s not a bad bargain: $3.4 million per season, to Junior’s $9.7 million.

With his three-run shot in the first off Andy Pettitte and RBI single in the fifth, Cameron tied the club record for RBIs, and matched the majors’ season-high for RBIs.

Those are two things Seattle (89-35) has shown plenty of this year. And even though Cameron admits to struggling before a talk with Piniella in Boston, he went 7-for-8 with 10 RBI in Seattle’s last two wins.

“The Yankees are a great team, but we played well and we should be proud of that. They’re going to be our nemesis in October. We’re prepared for it,” Cameron said. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a day like this, not even in Little League. To do it at Yankee Stadium is very special.

“I’ve been struggling. All the guys’ve been hounding me to pick up, and I’ve been able to pick my spots and pick up the team a little bit. I think it’s my turn again. [Others] have carried us for a while. By being in a big spot in the lineup, it’s crucial for me to play a big role.”